COUGAR ROWING ASSOCIATION
HISTORY OF THE CRA: HOW IT HAPPENED!
At the Fall 2024 Cougar Crew Alumni Association Board meeting, a motion passed to study the feasibility of transforming our purely advisory board into a fully-independent, self-governing nonprofit corporation. In March 2025, after discussion and debate, the CCAA Board voted to submit an application to the Corporations and Charities Division in Olympia. On April 25, Washington’s Secretary of State approved the application and issued our State of Washington Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number and Federal Tax ID number. On May 15, we submitted an application to the Internal Revenue Service for federal designation as a tax-deductible
501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Over the next several months the CCAA reviewed our bylaws and updated them to include language specific to nonprofit corporations. We also began the search for a bank and started reviewing available options for accounting systems and insurance coverage. On July 24 we received verbal confirmation from the IRS that our application for 501(c)(3) status was approved. Our nonprofit corporation was born. In September, the entity known as CCAA was dissolved and its sitting board, along with all assets and liabilities, officially became the newly (re)named Cougar Rowing Association. In October, the official IRS approval letter was received and in the following months we were able to open a bank account, purchase accounting software and buy insurance covering directors and officers, as well as general liability.
COUGAR ROWING ASSOCIATON’S NEW ROLE:
Our new nonprofit corporation will not replace our reliance on the Foundation for overall money management of our endowments. What it will do is give us enhanced financial oversight and cooperation with our UREC and Foundation partners. It will also provide flexibility for team projects and operations management that requiring timely transfer of funds. Some areas expected to immediately benefit are planning and execution of portions of Cougar Crew Days, purchasing of new equipment and publication of The Pull Hard. Additional areas under discussion include the purchase of vans for transportation to the river to decrease the teams overhead cost in this area and the hiring of coaches directly through the CRA, which will streamline the current process, improving our competitiveness in this area.
The various funds available within the new Cougar Rowing Association 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation will have estimated 67% lower administrative costs as compared with our WSU Foundation partners. The CRA funds will also earn a variable interest rate, the current rate is 3.2%. As of now, donors will have three fund options to donate to. The first is called the Team Operations Fund. This Fund will support team operational expenses just as our Cristy Cook account does now. It is not meant to replace the Cristy Cook account but to allow another donation pathway for those who want their donation dollars to stretch further while helping to support the team. The second Fund is named Equipment Fund. As the name implies, this Fund will be used to buy equipment as needed to support the team’s activities. Unlike our UREC Equipment Fund that serves the same purpose, the money within the CRA Equipment Fund will continue to grow with earned interest. The third donor Fund option is our Power 10 Fund. This Fund’s purpose is identical to the WSU Foundation’s Power 10 Fund that has been active for many years. The only difference between the CRA and the Foundation Power 10 programs are the administrative cost savings and interest income available with the CRA Power 10 Fund. The demographic composition of the CRA board is nearly identical to that of the CCAA. As ever, we are a partnership of alumni and student athletes. However, we are now a publicly- registered (and accountable) corporation. In our first half century, we accomplished wonders with an endless series of informal working groups and individuals all generally in agreement and working toward the same objectives. As a 501(c)(3) corporation, we will collectively manage all our endeavors in a publicly visible manner.
TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIVING:
Tax-deductible contributions can be made via credit card or ACH bank account transfers. Your donation will receive a same-day, thank-you email reply with donation specific information, which will serve as a receipt for tax purposes. At year’s end, all contributors will receive an itemized statement of donations given. If you would like to make a donation, a link to our new CRA account is on the Support page.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How do I donate to the CRA?
Donations can be made either by credit card or ACH bank transfer. A link to our new CRA account is on the Support page.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. The Cougar Rowing Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is structurally separate from Washington State University and exists solely for Cougar Crew’s benefit. The Cougar Rowing Association taxpayer identification number is 33-4803100.
Does it cost me anything to donate?
There is a third party administration fee of 1% plus 30 cents for an ACH donation and 2.9% plus 30 cents for a credit card donation. This is deducted from your donation unless you choose the option to cover this fee by checking the “pay transaction fee for this donation” box during the donation process. Once donated your money will incur no additional internal administrative expenses from the CRA . All deposited funds will earn interest. Currently the interest rate is 3.2%.
How does the Cougar Rowing Association differ from the WSU Foundation?
WSU Foundation administrative costs, for donations to our various endowments, incur a 2.5% credit card fee as well as a 5% upfront fee at the time the donation is made and an additional 1.5% fee each year for administration. Donations made to the Cristy Cook and Power 10 accounts incur a 2.5% credit card fee along with a 5% upfront Foundation fee at the time of the donation but do not incur any additional fees and do not earn interest income. Cougar Rowing Association administrative costs for ACH donations incur only a 1% fee plus 30 cents at the time the gift is made. Administrative costs for credit card donations to the Cougar Rowing Association are charged a 2.9% fee plus 30 cents at the time the donation is made. There are no additional ongoing administrative fees to manage the money within the CRA account. In addition all moneys within the Cougar Rowing Association receive a variable interest rate currently at 3.2% until used for team activities and team projects. Both organizations enjoy the identical 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization designation and can accept tax deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Both document and provide specific donor contribution information for end-of-year tax purposes. The WSU Foundation is linked directly to the Washington State University. Gifts for Cougar Crew donated to the WSU Foundation are administered by Washington State University’s University Recreation (UREC) department. They control the distribution of team funds. The Cougar Rowing Association is linked directly to the Cougar Crew and not to Washington State University. Team access to CRA funds will be direct and with reduced administrate delay. Funds controlled by UREC do not earn interest income. Funds controlled by the CRA will earn interest income at a variable rate, currently at a 3.2% return.
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Danny Brevick - Founder
Danny Brevick joined the crew in 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed filling the position of Treasurer and Commodore. He has enjoyed working with the athletes, coaches and fellow alumni on the Cougar Rowing Association and looks forward to continued success as they work towards increased support and boat speed. He resides in North Bend, Washington with his wife and their three children.
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Doug Engle - President
Doug rowed for Cougar Crew from the Fall of 1975 until 1979. Originally intending to walk on the basketball team, Doug tried rowing and the rest of the story is evident. His class was the first to field a Freshman 8. (They also had the dubious distinction of borrowing the University of Washington's "Royal Brougham" 8 man shell and rolling it in Lake Washington.) Doug spent his rowing career in the 5 seat of the Heavyweight 8; part of the famous "Engine Room". He served as Vice-Commodore during the 1978-1979 and also volunteered as the JV coach for the 1979-1980 season. One of the shining highlight of his tenure came when he was a member of the "Meat Wagon", a 4 with coxswain. The first Cougar Crew ever to attend the IRA National Championships in Syracuse, New York, Doug with his team members made Cougar Crew Rowing history by winning the Championship in 1979. Today, Doug is now retired from the USDA and still in Pullman. He is the first President of the newly created 501(c)3 Cougar Rowing Association. He has been active in Crew Alumni activities since 1980.
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Jim Austin - Vice President
Jim joined Cougar Crew in the Spring of 1973. He stroked the heavyweight varsity shell until his graduation in 1975. He held the position of crew commodore his senior year. After graduation Jim received his DDS degree from the University of Washington in 1980. After receiving his degree he set up the Factoria Family Dental Center where he practiced for thirty seven years, retiring in 2016. In 1997 Jim began a second career as a commercial real estate property manager and developer, managing property in the states of Washington, Nevada and Arizona. Jim became actively involved with Cougar Crew in 2022 at which time he helped develop an ongoing off-campus recruiting program for the team. In the Spring of 2024 he was asked to head the Shellhouse committee which is actively exploring and developing new shell house options. Currently he holds the position of Vice-President of the newly created 501(c)3 Cougar Rowing Association.
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Scott Morgan - Treasurer
Scott came to Washington State University as a junior college transfer from Pasadena, California, in September 1972. Initially invited to join the rowing team that fall, he declined; however, when approached again at the start of his senior year, he accepted and joined the program. In the spring of 2022, he reconnected with his former coach, Ken Struckmeyer, to explore opportunities for involvement with the team as a retired city finance director and CPA. This conversation led to a meeting with Coach Struckmeyer and Coach Brevick, resulting in his ongoing support role with Cougar Crew. Since then, he has assisted with practices on the Snake River and at regattas in Spokane, Oregon, California, and Tennessee. He also works closely with University Recreation (UREC) to better understand team financial operations and identify areas for improvement. He resides in California with his wife, spending the fall and spring seasons in Pullman to support the team.
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Rich Ray - Secretary
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Ernie Iseminger - Development Officer
Mr. Iseminger has raised more than $1 billion during his twenty-five-plus years of fundraising at five separate institutions of higher education. He started his career as coach for men’s crew at his alma mater Washington State University. Mr. Iseminger received his BA in Social Studies, History and Education from Washington State University in 1991. He continues to serve his alma mater as member of the Cougar Rowing Association. Mr. Iseminger resides with his wife Alice in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
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Karl Huhta - Alumni Outreach
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Ken Struckmeyer - Faculty Advisor
Ken to many, "Coach" to hundreds if not thousands of oarsmen and oarswomen of the 1970's into the 1990's, "Al" to a few, was the Cougar Crew Head Coach from 1973 until 1992. A coach, mentor and friend to the oarsmen that rowed during his tenure, Ken was on the Washington State University Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture for 34 years before his retirement. Previously he serves as the University Ombudsman and Chair of the Faculty Senate. Today finds Ken and Marg (Crew Mom) still making their home in Pullman.
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Frank Coddington - Commodore
Frank is a senior oarsman with four years on Cougar Crew, currently serving as Commodore, with past roles of Treasurer, and Webmaster. During his time with the team, he helped Cougar Crew win the WIRA Team Points Trophy and was part of the first Cougar Crew 8+ to break six minutes in fair conditions. He is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science and serves as a cadet through the WSU Police Cadet Program, with plans to enter law enforcement after graduation. He has also contributed to the CCD planning committee and played a key role in leading several operational aspects of the team. From East Wenatchee, he enjoys spending time with friends and golfing in his free time.
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Dylan Reeves - Team Treasurer
Dylan has been a member of Cougar Crew since 2022 and has rowed port in the Varsity 8+ since joining the team. He is a senior at Washington State University pursuing a degree in neuroscience with a pre-medicine focus. As treasurer, he manages the team’s budget and oversees incoming funds from dues and fundraising. Outside of rowing, Dylan volunteers in a drug research lab studying the mechanisms underlying addiction. He is from Sammamish, Washington, and coaches at his high school rowing club during the summer.
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Owen Laub - Student Representative
Owen is a junior on the team and is in his third year of rowing. He is in his second year as an officer, currently serving as UREC Liaison and previously as Webmaster. Owen is a Business Management major who hopes to work in the medical device field and is currently completing an internship with a medical device manufacturer. He serves on the Sport Club Federation, the UREC Advisory Board, and is the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee for the Cougar Rowing Association. Owen was born and raised in the Snoqualmie Valley, where his family still lives today. Outside of rowing, he enjoys playing golf, spending time outdoors, and being with family and friends.
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Zack Brandt - Student Representative
Zack is in his third year with Cougar Crew, having competed in both the First and Second Varsity 8+ during his time on the team. Before transferring to Washington State University, he was a competitive powerlifter and earned his Associate of Arts degree at a junior college. Originally from Vancouver, Washington, Zack is now a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. As Recruitment Coordinator, he oversees summer outreach at New Coug Orientation and the Get Involved Fair, while fostering team engagement and enthusiasm for welcoming new athletes to Cougar Crew.
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Andi Day - Past Chair
Andi Day coxed for Cougar Crew 1986-1990; began coaching at WSU post-graduation and continued for more than 20 years. Andi has worked as an Executive Director, a Marketing Director and a consultant for tourism destinations, nonprofits, and small businesses. Her rowing experience includes coaching, board membership, and competing for Anchorage Rowing, LWRC, and PRC. Additional board service includes WSU Alumni Association, Carson College Nat’l Board of Advisors, and State of Washington Tourism. Andi and 12-year-old son Devin reside in Seaview, Washington. They enjoy beach life and working on a 140-year-old fixer-upper.
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Tim 'Haole' Richards - Past Chair
Tim, better known as "Haole" during his time on Cougar Crew, rowed from the Fall of 1977 to the Spring of 1980. In the Lightweight 8 during his rowing tenure, he rowed both starboard and port under then Head Coach Ken Struckmeyer who referred to this as being "Amphibious". ("Haole" wonders if this distinction had more to do with the rowing either sides or the fact that he took many long walks off short docks because of the coach....) He served as Commodore for the 1979-1980 season. A graduate of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, he is currently in practice and cattle ranching in Hawaii.